By / OVM TEAM

Everything You Need to Know About Moving in Winter

If you’re preparing to move in the winter, we have some tips that will help you

It’s the most beautiful time of the year… to move? In Canada, our winters are nothing short of brutal. Between snowstorms, ice, slush, and freezing rain, the weather may be one of the top reasons why you dread moving in winter. While the weather does play a huge factor in how smooth your move is, there are other things to consider as well. The good news is that if you know what to expect, you can prepare yourself for any issues or setbacks you may run into.

You need to get your home ready for the move

Unlike moving during other seasons, you’ll need to take extra steps to prepare your home for moving in winter. Snow and ice will make your walkway and driveway slippery, and if people are indoors with their boots on, your floors will get slippery as well. Be sure to shovel any snow off your property to prevent falls, and keep salt on hand at all times. To protect your floors, yourself and your movers, it’s a good idea to lay down plastic sheeting inside your home on moving day.

Take extra care in protecting your belongings

Certain items may be more susceptible to damage in cold weather. Electronics, dishware and glassware, and plants are examples of things you should take special care of when moving in winter. Whenever you can, double-wrap fragile items and use your car to transport them rather than leaving them in the moving truck. It’s always best to keep these items separate from the rest of your belongings and to move them last.

Prepare your car 

If you’re making a long-distance move, you’ll need to consider how you can adequately prepare your car. Have your vehicle serviced before you leave. Be sure to pack emergency essentials like blankets, gloves, scarves, hats, and non-perishable food. Stock up on windshield wiper fluid, and make sure you have an ice scraper in your car. When moving in winter, it’s always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared.

Give yourself plenty of extra time when moving in winter

It’s especially crucial to give yourself extra time to pack, move, travel, and prepare for moving in the winter. You’ll want and need time to make sure you’re shipping and moving your belongings safely. The weather will be unpredictable, and so will traffic, so you should consider this when estimating your travel time. Prepare yourself for possible service interruptions and delays, and have a solid backup plan in place if anything goes wrong.

Make sure your new home is ready before you arrive 

More than anything, it’s crucial to ensure you have your utilities set up in your new home before your arrival. Call your utility provider well in advance to confirm that your heat, hot water, electricity and internet connection will all be up and running before your moving day.

Hire a professional moving company 

To alleviate additional stress, hiring professional movers is strongly advised. Professional movers have years of experience with winter moves, making your moving experience significantly more manageable. You’ll want to focus your energy on you and your family the most and make the transition as smooth as possible during a move. Leave the heavy lifting to the professionals, and you’ll realize that a winter move isn’t that bad after all.